Plastic pipeline structure in faucet

ABSTRACT

A plastic pipeline structure may include a channeling tube, two plugs, and a cover. The channeling tube can be manufactured in a single mold with plastic materials and has a mixing base in the middle, which has one or more outlet channels. The outlet channels in the mixing base and the channels in the horizontal tubes toward both sides are connected and formed in a perpendicular manner. Each horizontal tube has an open end and a vertical tube is perpendicularly connected with each horizontal tube near the open end. Each plug is inserted into the open end of each horizontal tube. The cover placed above the channeling tube has hole through which the mixing base can be connected with a faucet. There is a blocking surface formed on the interior wall of each side of the cover to block the plugs.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to a pipeline structure in a faucet, moreparticularly to a plastic pipeline structure that connects with thefaucet having hot water and cold water lines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 7, the conventional faucet pipeline structure consistsof a channeling tube 50, two connecting tubes 60 and a cover 70. Theplastic channeling tube 50 has a valve base 51 in the middle and twoextension tubes 52 are perpendicularly connected to the bottom of thevalve base 51. Each extension tube 52 has a plural of restricting holes521 at the end. The plastic connecting tube 60 consists of a connectingportion 61 that has a plural of blocks 611 on the surface and an inletportion 62. The connecting portion 61 and the inlet portion 62 areformed in a perpendicular manner. By inserting the connecting portion 61into the extension tube 52 and engaging the blocks 611 with therestricting holes 521, the two connecting tubes can be connected withthe channeling tube 50. A sealing gasket 63 is placed between theextension tube 52 and the connecting portion 62 to prevent leakage. Thecover 70 has a hole 71 through which the valve base 51 can be connectedwith a faucet, thereby connecting the faucet with hot water and coldwater lines. However, since a pipeline with two or more L-bends cannotbe manufactured with a single mold, the channeling tube 50 and theconnecting tubes 60 need to be manufactured separately with differentmolds. To manufacture the conventional pipeline mentioned above, a solidchanneling tube 50 is molded and holes are drilled along the verticalaxis of the valve base 51 and the horizontal axis of the extension tubes52 to form water channels. Then two solid connecting tubes 60 are moldedwith another mold and holes are drilled along the axes of the connectingportion and the inlet portion to form water channels. The manufacturedchanneling tube 50 is then connected with the two manufacturedconnecting tubes 60 to form the pipeline structure with four L-bends.Therefore, the manufacturing process of the conventional pipelinerequires different molds for the channeling tube 50 and the connectingtubes 60, and additional processes to form the restricting holes 521 andthe blocks 611, thereby increasing the manufacturing costs and causinginconvenience in the assembling process. In addition, a common featureof a pipeline system is the existence of the water hammer effect. Whenthe valve is closed, the movement of water in the pipeline system issuddenly obstructed, and the velocity of water causes the compression ofwater in the pipeline and the increase of water pressure in thepipeline. The water pressure inside the pipeline system can be as highas 500 psi and may cause damages to the pipeline and leakage. In theconventional pipeline, some space may be left between the channelingtube 50 and the connecting tubes 60 when they are connected by engagingthe blocks 611 with the restricting holes 521, and thus leakage ordisengagement of the connecting tubes 60 may occur due to the waterpressure or the water hammer effect. Therefore, the conventionalpipeline structure also has a weak structure and is subject to leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The manufacturing of the conventional pipeline structure requiresdifferent molds for the channeling tube and the connecting tubes,thereby increasing the manufacturing costs and causing inconvenience inthe assembling process. In addition, the conventional pipeline structurealso has a weak structure and is subject to leakage problems.

To solve the problems stated above, the present invention provides apipeline structure that may include a channeling tube, two plugs, and acover. The channeling tube can be manufactured in a single mold withplastic materials and has a mixing base in the middle, which has one ormore outlet channels. The outlet channels in the mixing base and thechannels in the horizontal tubes toward both sides are connected andformed in a perpendicular manner. Each horizontal tube has an open endand a vertical tube is perpendicularly connected with each horizontaltube near the open end. There is an inlet channel inside each verticaltube that is parallel to the outlet channels of the channeling tube.Each plug is inserted into the open end of each horizontal tube. Thecover placed above the channeling tube has hole through which the mixingbase can be connected with a faucet. There is a blocking surface formedon the interior wall of each side of the cover to block the plugs.

Wherein, the top portion of the mixing base is threaded and thereforethe mixing base can be connected with a faucet.

Wherein, the vertical tubes are threaded and therefore they can beconnected with external water lines.

Wherein, each vertical tube is connected with a valve base along thevertical axis that has a channel connected with the channel inside thevertical tube.

Wherein, each plug has a head at one end and a plug body at the otherend, and each plug is inserted into the open end of each horizontal tubeand blocked by the blocking surface of the cover.

Wherein, the plug body has one or more grooves on the surface and asealing gasket is placed in each groove.

Wherein, the channeling tube has one or more engaging parts near theopen end and each plug body has one or more connecting parts on thesurface of the plug body; and the connecting parts engage with theengaging parts when the plug body is inserted in to the open end of thehorizontal tube.

Wherein the engaging parts are restricting holes and the connectingparts are blocks that mate with the restricting holes; and the blocksengage with the restricting holes when the plug body is inserted intothe open end of the horizontal tube.

An advantage of the present invention is that the channeling tube can bemanufactured with a single mold. The first step is to mold a structurewith solid mixing base, horizontal tubes and vertical tubes. Then outletchannels are formed inside the mixing base and an inlet channel isformed in each vertical tube by drilling holes along the vertical axis.And a hole is drilled along the horizontal axis of each horizontal tubefrom the open end to form a channel inside each horizontal tube toconnect the outlet channels inside the mixing base with the inletchannels in the vertical tubes. Therefore, the channeling tube can bemanufactured with a single mold, thereby enhancing the strength of thestructure and simplifying the manufacture process. In addition, the openends can be closed by inserting the plugs into the open ends andblocking the plugs with the cover, thereby reducing the number of moldsneeded in the manufacturing process, decreasing manufacture costs,enhancing the strength of the structure and preventing leakage.

Another advantage of the present inventions is that the open ends can beclosed by inserting the plugs into the open ends. The cover placed abovethe channeling tube has a hole through which the mixing base can beconnected with a faucet and two blocking surfaces that block the head ofthe plug. Therefore, the cover enables quick fixture of the plugs andblocks the plugs, thereby preventing the plugs from disengaging with thehorizontal tubes due to water pressure or the water hammer effect. Theengagements of the blocks with the restricting holes of the horizontaltubes further enhance the engagements of the plugs with the channelingtube and such structure also simplifies the engagement structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a three-dimensional exploded view of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a magnified view of a part of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of the present invention when beingused.

FIG. 6 illustrates a three-dimensional exploded view of anotherembodiment in the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a three-dimensional exploded view of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofthe presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects ofthe present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms inwhich the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to beunderstood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and componentsmay be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended tobe encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devicesand materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used inthe practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devicesand materials are now described.

All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purposeof describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologiesthat are described in the publications that might be used in connectionwith the presently described invention. The publications listed ordiscussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely fortheir disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application.Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors arenot entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

In order to further understand the goal, characteristics and effect ofthe present invention, a number of embodiments along with the drawingsare illustrated as following:

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the plastic pipeline structure may consist ofa channeling tube 10, two plugs 20 and a cover 30. The channeling tube10 is manufactured in a single mold with plastic materials and has amixing base 11 that has one or more outlet channels 111. The outletchannels and the channels in the horizontal tubes 12 toward both sidesare connected and formed in a perpendicular manner. Each horizontal tube12 has an open end 121 and is perpendicularly connected with a verticaltube 13 near the open end 121. The vertical tube 13 has an inlet channel131 that is parallel to the outlet channels 111. Each plug 20 has a head21 at one end and a plug body 22 at the other end. Each plug 20 isinserted into the open end 121 of each horizontal tube 12. There are oneor more grooves 221 on the surface of the plug body 22 and a sealinggasket 23 is placed in each groove 221 to prevent leaks from formingbetween the horizontal tubes 12 and the plugs 20. The channeling tube 10has one or more engaging parts 122 near each open end 121 and each plugbody 22 of the plug 20 has one or more connecting parts 222 that matewith the engaging parts 122. By inserting the plug body 22 into the openend 121 and engaging the connecting parts 222 with the engaging parts122, the plugs 20 can be securely inserted into the channeling tube 10.The cover 30 placed above the channeling tube 10 has a hole 31 at thecenter through which the mixing base 11 can be connected with a faucet.There is a blocking surface 32 formed on the interior wall of each sideof the cover 30 to block the plugs, thereby enhancing the stability ofthe engagements of the channeling tube 10 with the plugs 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the present invention can be used to connectexternal water lines (cold water line and hot water line) with a faucet40, thereby enabling the switch from cold water to hot water andadjustment the ratio of cold water to hot water. The plugs 20 areengaged with the channeling tube 10 by inserting the plug body 22 intothe open end 121, thereby closing the open ends 121 of the horizontaltubes 12. The cover 30 placed above the channeling tube 10 has hole 31through which the mixing base 11 can be connected with a faucet and twoblocking surfaces 32 that block the heads 21 of the plugs 20. Therefore,the cover 30 enables quick fixture of the plugs 20 and blocks the plugs20, thereby preventing the plugs 20 from disengaging with the horizontaltubes 12 due to water pressure or the water hammer effect. Theengagements of the connecting parts 222 on the surface of the plug 20with the engaging parts 122 of the horizontal tubes further enhance theengagements of the plugs 20 with the channeling tube 10 and suchstructure also simplifies the engagement structure. The vertical tube 13is threaded and thus it can be connected with an external water line 41.The top portion 112 of the mixing base 11 is threaded and thus it can beconnected with a faucet 40. By operating the faucet 40, cold and hotwater can be mixed in the mixing base 11 and the mixed water then flowsout of the faucet.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the channeling tube 10 can be manufactured bymolding a structure with solid mixing base 11, horizontal tubes 12 andvertical tubes 13 in a single mold with plastic materials. Holes aredrilled along the vertical axis of the mixing base to form outletchannels 111. And a hole is drilled along the horizontal axis of eachhorizontal tube 12 from the open end 121 to form a channel inside eachhorizontal tube 12 that is connected with an outlet channel in themixing base 11. And a hole is drilled along the vertical axis of eachvertical tube 13 to form an inlet channel 131 inside the vertical tube13 that is connected with the channel inside the horizontal tube 12.Thus water can flow from the inlet channels 131 to the outlet channels111 through the horizontal tubes 12. Therefore, the channeling tube 10can be manufactured with a single mold, thereby enhancing the strengthof the structure and simplifying the manufacture process. In addition,the open ends 121 can be closed by inserting the plugs into the openends 121 and blocking the plugs 20 with the cover 30, thereby reducingthe number of molds needed in the manufacturing process, decreasingmanufacture costs, enhancing the strength of the structure andpreventing leakage. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment in the presentinvention. The channeling tube 10 can be manufactured by molding astructure with solid mixing base 11, horizontal tubes 12 and verticaltubes 13 with a single mold. Outlet channels are formed inside themixing base 11 and an inlet channel is formed in each vertical tube 13by drilling holes along the vertical axis. And a hole is drilled alongthe horizontal axis of each horizontal tube 12 from the open end 121 toform a channel inside each horizontal tube 12 to connect the outletchannels inside the mixing base 11 with the inlet channels in thevertical tubes 13. Each vertical tube 13 is connected with a valve base141 along its vertical axis, which has a channel that is connected withthe inlet channel in the vertical tube 13. The valve base 141 can beconnected with a faucet.

According to the embodiments described above, an advantage of thepresent invention is that the channeling tube 10 can be manufactured ina single mold with plastic materials. The first step is to mold astructure with solid mixing base 11, horizontal tubes 12 and verticaltubes 13 in a single mold. Then outlet channels are formed inside themixing base 11 and an inlet channel is formed in each vertical tube 13by drilling holes along the vertical axis. And a hole is drilled alongthe horizontal axis of each horizontal tube 12 from the open end 121 toform a channel inside each horizontal tube 12 to connect the outletchannels inside the mixing base 11 with the inlet channels in thevertical tubes 13. Therefore, the channeling tube 10 can be manufacturedwith a single mold, thereby enhancing the strength of the structure andsimplifying the manufacture process. In addition, the open ends 121 canbe closed by inserting the plugs 20 into the open ends 121 and blockingthe plugs 20 with the cover 30, thereby reducing the number of moldsneeded in the manufacturing process, decreasing manufacture costs,enhancing the strength of the structure and preventing leakage. Anotheradvantage of the present inventions is that the open ends 121 can beclosed by inserting the plugs 20 into the open ends 121. The cover 30placed above the channeling tube 10 has a hole 31 through which themixing base 11 can be connected with a faucet and two blocking surfaces32 that block the head 21 of the plug 20. Therefore, the cover 30enables quick fixture of the plugs 20 and blocks the plugs 20, therebypreventing the plugs 20 from disengaging with the horizontal tubes 12due to water pressure or the water hammer effect. The engagements of theconnecting parts 222 with the engaging parts 122 of the horizontal tubesfurther enhance the engagements of the plugs 20 with the channeling tube10 and such structure also simplifies the engagement structure.

Having described the invention by the description and illustrationsabove, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the inventionand are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention isnot to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, butincludes any equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plastic pipeline structure comprising achanneling tube, two plugs and a cover, wherein the channeling tube canbe manufactured in a single mold with plastic materials; the channelingtube has a mixing base in the middle, which has one or more outletchannels; the outlet channels in the mixing base and the channels in thehorizontal tubes toward both sides are connected and formed in aperpendicular manner; each horizontal tube has an open end and isperpendicularly connected with a vertical tube near the open end; and aninlet channel is disposed inside each vertical tube that is parallel tothe outlet channels in the mixing base; wherein the plugs are insertedinto the open ends of the horizontal tubes; and wherein the cover isplaced above the channeling tube; the cover has a hole through which themixing base can be connected with a faucet; and there is a blockingsurface formed on the interior wall of each side of the cover to blockthe plugs.
 2. The plastic pipeline structure of claim 1, wherein the topportion of the mixing base is threaded and therefore the mixing base canbe connected with a faucet.
 3. The plastic pipeline structure of claim1, wherein the vertical tubes are threaded and therefore the verticaltubes can be connected with external water lines.
 4. The plasticpipeline structure of claim 1, wherein each vertical tube is connectedwith a valve base along the vertical axis and the valve base has anoutlet channel connected with the inlet channel in the vertical tube. 5.The plastic pipeline structure of claim 1, wherein the plug has a headat one end and a plug body at the other end; the plug body is insertedinto the open end of the horizontal tube and the head is blocked by theblocking surface of the cover.
 6. The plastic pipeline structure ofclaim 5, wherein the one or more grooves are formed on the surface ofthe plug body and a sealing gasket is placed in each groove.
 7. Theplastic pipeline structure of claim 5, wherein the channeling tube hasone or more engaging parts near each open end and each plug body has oneor more connecting parts on the surface of the plug body; the connectingparts are engaged with the engaging parts when the plug body is insertedin to the open end of the horizontal tube.
 8. The plastic pipelinestructure of claim 7, wherein the engaging parts are restricting holesand the connecting parts are blocks that mate with the restrictingholes; the blocks are engaged with the restricting holes when the plugbody is inserted into the open end of the horizontal tube.